Federico Chiesa may remain part of Liverpool’s squad this season, according to reports from Italy, following the sales of Darwin Nunez and Luis Díaz.
Although Chiesa was not a regular during pre-season, he did score once in three appearances.
His campaign was disrupted by an injury that caused him to miss Liverpool’s Asia tour.
Initially, it was expected that his absence from the trips to Hong Kong and Japan would signal an imminent exit.
However, Chiesa currently remains one of six forwards in Arne Slot’s senior squad ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League opener against Bournemouth.
Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Liverpool officials recently met with Chiesa’s agent, Fali Ramadani, to inform him that the winger will be needed for the start of the new season.
Slot is also said to have had a similar conversation with Chiesa, highlighting that the departures of Nunez to Al-Hilal and Díaz to Bayern Munich have left the squad short of senior attacking options.
While Liverpool plan to integrate Rio Ngumoha as a full-time first-team member, the club are aware that depending too heavily on a 16-year-old could be risky.
Similarly, with Ben Doak expected to leave amid strong interest from Premier League and other clubs, there is currently no specialist cover for Mohamed Salah on the right wing.
Slot recently mentioned Chiesa as a potential option in the centre-forward role following Liverpool’s Community Shield loss to Crystal Palace.
It’s possible that the 27-year-old is being retained while Liverpool continue to pursue Alexander Isak, who remains a complicated target as he looks to force a move from Newcastle United.
Given the exits of Nunez and Díaz, combined with the tragic loss of Diogo Jota, it is understandable that Liverpool may keep Chiesa as valuable cover in attack.
In June, the Italy international expressed that he “wouldn’t mind staying” at Anfield.
However, Italy national team head coach Gennaro Gattuso has stressed that Chiesa must play regularly to secure a World Cup call-up.
Several Serie A clubs, including Napoli and Atalanta, have been linked with interest in the winger.
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